Are you suggesting DDG stop marketing the primary benefit of their product in an effort to be "real" with its customers?
What is your suggestion for an alternative message? "We are trying to make money like everyone else, please use our search engine that is not an altruistic public good and is trying to influence regulation that will hurt our competitors".
They could do what they're already doing without mentioning Congress or altering regulations. I use DDG and will continue to, but can't say I care for them (or anyone/anything else I support) slamming down on that "let's get the government to help me" lever.
I think you can take each one on a case by case basis.
If health insurance companies lobbied the government to require that all citizens have health insurance, I'd take a ton of issue. But if health insurance companies lobbied to require doctors to get consent if they want to harvest tissue or organ samples from patients for personal research, I'd support that change.
It's all grey area but as of yet I don't think DDG is at all in the wrong.
No. I just want them to be smarter about how they deliver the message. I would love them to succeed and this is just a feedback from a regular user who follows news about DDG.
What is your suggestion for an alternative message? "We are trying to make money like everyone else, please use our search engine that is not an altruistic public good and is trying to influence regulation that will hurt our competitors".
Doesn't really roll off the tongue.